Just a quick reply - I'll write more tomorrow. There are many options besides through the GGZ/RIAGG for therapy and whatever your pdoc says about you, you shouldn't encounter problems getting therapy elsewhere. Personally, therapy once in two weeks is insufficient. I'll post some links and suggestions tomorrow which you might like to research. It should all be for free but you might have to wait a few weeks to get an intake/start seeing someone in private practice (most people in private practice are also covered by insurance).
My first pdoc was a TA - he did talk a little about this with me - in the end I moved on to my current pdoc because he wouldn't reconsider the AD I was taking and seemed confused at times about which meds/dosages he'd prescribed (which didn't fill me with confidence!) - other than that, he wasn't unkind in anyway. If I recall, his practice was affiliated with a special retreat centre in Switzerland. I'm sure there are more TA therapists and pdocs in the Netherlands. I'll try and track down that website and see if there is a link to a general directory of TA therapists.
I was disappointed with my experience with the RIAGG, so I simply told them I would no longer continue under their care and made my own arrangements. I remember writing them a sort of complaint letter. I phoned my current therapist (found him through the NVPP) and in the first or second session explained why I hadn't been happy with the RIAGG. He wasn't surprised and was shocked by the approach of the therapist I saw for an intake there. As far as finding a pdoc - I'm surprised they have turned you down. I think you have a right to see someone new and refuse to have notes sent on from your previous pdoc - i.e. ask for a fresh start. I'm sure there will be a pdoc out there, especially in Amsterdam, who will continue your care - or else look further afield. Again, there are directories listing all pdocs in your area and there might be some specialising in bi-polar and/or personality disorders. There will also be pdocs working at clinics specifically for patients with more complex problems and so would likely be more sympathetic. If you decide to find a therapist outside of the GGZ, then this might be a good step on the way to finding a pdoc also in private practice, because a sympathetic T can then correspond with the new pdoc regarding your background. You just need an understanding T in the Netherlands on your side.
I'm glad you received some respite and care in Spain. I don't know what I would have done had I stuck with the RIAGG. I now see a T twice a week and he is flexible - so if I need an extra appointment he can almost always accommodate. Likewise, he is available by e-mail and phone if needed. I'm guessing someone in a big centre wouldn't be so readily available.
It sounds like you have a good spot in Amsterdam. I live in regio Utrecht.
Anyway, I'll post tomorrow with some links and a translation - hopefully something will be helpful.
Groetjes,
Onzi
Quote:
Originally Posted by paddym22
Hi Onzi
Yeah GGZ is in Amsterdam and it is part of RIAGG, your findings with them are like mine. I get therapy every second week (psychodynamic) but I wanted Transactional analysis and see a psychiatrist who is incredibly cold every 4/5 weeks. I went to a private clinic in Spain last year for a couple of months as I was so frustrated with the system here and did indepth therapy 5 hours a day one on one, psychodynamic and TA it was excellent. They felt I had features of borderline but was definitely Bi Polar as well. When I came back to Amsterdam and show them my referral letter, they just looked at it and sneered and said they could have told me that for no cost. They didnt bother to contact Spain and discuss my Dx or history, so I had to start all over again with a T here in the GGZ, which is incredibly frustrating as I can see what he is trying to do, I feel I am two steps ahead of him all the time. My Therapist from the clinic in Spain mails me each day and keeps me going. I tried to go private early this year but the GGZ said to the new pDOC that I went to that I was very borderline and difficult, which is so untrue. So I am back at the GGZ again, but I am going back to Spain next month for a couple of weeks for a refresher course. The hospitals here too are not very nice. I was in the Valerius Clinic here in Amsterdam and it was very crowded and they actually lock the bedroom wing from 9.30 am until 4.00pm. I was only in Amsterdam a couple of months at the time. I was allocated a case nurse who didnt speak english so it was really difficult even several other nurses were fluent. I have never had a suicide attempt, just massive rapid mood swings that are typical of rapid cycling Bi Polar.
You said in another post to me that I had taken on another label and you are quite right. I immersed myself into reading and researching what I could on BPD and didnt like what I read. But there is rejection and phsyical abuse in my history as a child so I think it is from that they are basing their Dx on. I dont self harm, I dont have abandonment issues. I am very introverted now as I dont like to bother "well" people with my depressive, nervous and manic issues, so I have isolated myself in a lovely apartment in the city centre with a terrific view of the canals and that suits me for now.
Anyway Doei for now
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